U.S. predicts peaceful elections in Indonesia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The United States had confidence this year's elections in Indonesia would run as safely, freely and fairly as the previous polls in 1999, Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce said this week.

"Everybody saw what happened in 1999 and that is a good experience to build from," Boyce said after the state of union address from President George W. Bush aired live from Washington on Wednesday.

Like the U.S., which would also hold a presidential poll this year, Indonesia would pass its landmark direct elections with flying colors, he said.

"I have every confidence the Indonesian people will be able to stage an election that is free, fair and peaceful."

Boyce said the existing travel warning to U.S. citizens coming to Indonesia would not stop Americans traveling here during the elections.

"It is not a ban... Americans are coming in and out of Indonesia all the time," Boyce said.

Military leaders here have warned of the possibility of chaos before and during the elections and have vowed to deploy troops if events turned bloody.

Politicians and analysts have dismissed the warning with some accusing the military of meddling with political affairs, an act which was against the national consensus to end the military's political influence.

"During (the) 2004 (elections), the situation will remain stable as civil society has grown strong," Arief Budiman, a staunch critic of former dictator Soeharto, told a seminar this week.

Boyce said Indonesia's democratization was one of the success stories of the new millennium. There was no reason to doubt the ongoing preparations for the elections, he said.

He admitted in some countries the transition period to democracy had led them back to the old dictatorial style but he was certain Indonesia was not in that category.

Boyce expected to see U.S. observers join with international volunteers to watch over all stages of the elections.

"We welcome the open invitation from the Indonesian government to allow in international observers. I am sure the U.S. will be an active participant."

There will be 24 political parties contesting the elections, half the number of parties which took part in the 1999 polls.

The election of legislative members will take place on April 5, while the first round of presidential elections will be held on July 5, with a run-off scheduled for Sept. 20.